Parents Of Bryan Kohberger's Victim Reveal Harrowing Detail About Daughter's Last Moments

Kaylee Goncalves' parents have revealed a harrowing detail about their daughter's final moments at the hands of convicted killer Bryan Kohberger.

Kaylee was one of the victims killed by the criminology grad student who recently signed a guilty plea in connection with the murders of Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin.

In a statement, her parents claimed that Bryan Kohberger "beat" her in the "face and head" while stabbing her "many times." They also noted that they were tired of the criticism surrounding their support for the death penalty for Kohberger, which is now off the table due to the plea deal.

Days after Idaho student slasher Bryan Kohberger signed a plea deal, the parents of one of his victims, Kaylee Goncalves, have continued to voice their anger over the decision.

As part of their frustration with what they see as an injustice, they recently released a statement on their Facebook account, one that also revealed harrowing details about their daughter's death.

According to Goncalves' parents, Kohberger violently beat her in the face and head during her fatal murder in November 2022 at an off-campus rental home in Idaho.

"[I]f your 21yr old daughter was sleeping in her bed, and BK [Bryan Kohberger] went into her house with the intention to kill her and he did, by stabbing her MANY times, as well as beating her in the face and head while it was clear that she fought for her life … what would you want?" the family wrote in the statement.

In addition to fatally stabbing Goncalves, Kohberger also killed three others in the house: Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin.

He pleaded guilty to four counts of murder related to the attack, along with a burglary charge connected to the case.

Although the plea deal ensures Kohberger will spend the remainder of his life in prison, Goncalves' parents believe it falls short of delivering true justice for their daughter's brutal killing.

[Bryan Kohberger's life on DEATH ROW while serving his time would have been much worse than serving his time as life in prison," Gonclaves' family wrote elsewhere in their statement. "He doesn't deserve life in prison."

The family also criticized comments from those who told them to be satisfied with the plea deal. They further noted that these individuals have suggested that the family's disagreement with the plea deal comes from a desire for vengeance.

"It gets so old having people say we want vengeance and make it sound like we are animals for having those feelings, the statement read further. "I just find it so hard that so many people are judging us, and they have never stepped foot in our shoes."

In the comment section of the post, many netizens expressed support for the family and criticized their detractors.

An individual commented, "You have a reason to feel the way you do, and people telling you to feel a certain way should really be ashamed of themselves. They should be offering empathy at the very least."

"You're allowed to grieve and feel whatever emotions you please. No one can tell you how to do that. Kaylee deserved better, and the justice system failed her," another FB user wrote.

Someone else remarked, "I fully agree that he should have been convicted and sentenced to death. No worse of a sentence I can think of is wondering when his time was up. He didn't show any mercy to your daughter or the others."

One more person commented, "The Goncalves family has every right to defend their daughter's honor in whatever way they see fit. No plea deal can ever measure their pain, their loss, or the justice Kaylee deserves."

Unlike the Goncalves, the Mogens showed support for the plea deal and noted it was the "best possible outcome" from the case.

"We support the plea agreement 100%," said Leander James, a lawyer for the Mogens, per News Nation.

"While we know there are some who do not support it, we ask that they respect our belief that this is the best outcome possible for the victims, their families, and the state of Idaho," James added.

Following the plea deal, Kohberger is set to be formally sentenced to begin his consecutive life terms later this month.

During the hearing, victim impact statements will be presented, though it remains uncertain whether all of the victims' families will attend or choose to speak.

Although pursuing a conviction in court could have resulted in a guilty verdict, it would likely have triggered years of costly and time-consuming appeals from Kohberger.

It also forces the victims' families to relive the deaths of their loved ones, an experience that can be profoundly traumatic.

These reasons were hinted at in a letter written by prosecutors to the victims' families.

"This resolution is our sincere attempt to seek justice for your family," they said, per ABC News.

"This agreement ensures that the defendant will be convicted, will spend the rest of his life in prison, and will not be able to put you and the other families through the uncertainty of decades of post-conviction appeals," they added.

"We hope that you may come to appreciate why we believe this resolution is in the best interest of justice."